07-17-2009

 

ILLINOIS HAS A BUDGET

Illinois can finally pay its bills, and cut paychecks for state workers. Governor Pat Quinn has signed the 26-billion dollar state budget handed to him late Wednesday night.  The plan relies on three-billion dollars in borrowing, and delaying billions more in payments to state vendors to make ends meet.  It does not include a tax increase, but could include as much as another one billion dollars in cuts. 

 

Governor Pat Quinn says he'll have to manage the budget.  Lawmakers say that will leave Quinn responsible for any blame, but the Governor says that gives him the freedom to make the spending plan work.  It took lawmakers two months of overtime to finally agree on the specifics. 

 

Human service providers will get about 85-percent of their budgets, but schools and universities will see cuts.  State workers can expect 12 furlough days.  The Governor says he wants to  negotiate with state unions to try and ease cuts and layoffs.  Quinn's office has already sent out 25-hundred layoff notices.  Quinn says he hopes to be able to find new money later this year, or early next year to avoid deep cuts.

 

JURIEST NEED NOT REPORT

 

The Bond County Circuit Court Clerk John King has announced that Petit Jurors do not need to report on Monday July 20^th, again Petit Jurors do not need to report on Monday.

---

WHITETAILS UNLIMITED DONATE MONEY AND NIGHT VISION BINOCULARS

 

Shoal Creek Whitetails Unlimited recently presented night vision binoculars to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation police officer, Jennifer Klotz. The binoculars will assist her and the department to help prevent and stop poaching in Illinois.

 

Also they donated $500 to help support the Greenville Boy Scouts. The money for these donations was raised at a fundraiser in February at the KC Hall in Highland.

 

BLUEGRASS IN THE PARK THIS SATURDAY

 

The Bond County Habitat for Humanity will hold their 4^th annual Bluegrass in the Park this Saturday at Patriot’s Park.  The event will go on all afternoon with a stage show from 4PM till dark.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy or join in the great bluegrass music.  There will be BBQ for sale, cooked by the famous Wes Pourchot and all proceeds and donations go to Bond County Habitat for Humanity. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED TO BOWMAN DRIVE

 

The Greenville Fire Department was called out this morning to 1582 Bowman Drive.  A paper napkin had gotten on the burner of a hot water heater and started smoking.  The fire was extinguished by the time the fire department arrived.  Firefighters was on the scene for about 40 minutes.